First BSSS Collaboration & Innovation Forum at Cranfield University on 28th April 2026
The British Society of Soil Science (BSSS) launched the Collaboration & Innovation Forum as a new initiative to bring together soil scientists, researchers, and corporate partners in a highly collaborative, innovative, and enterprise-focused environment. The forum is designed to create a dynamic platform for networking, sharing best practice, and fostering meaningful cross-sector partnerships that bridge science, industry, and policy. By encouraging open dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the co-development of solutions, it supports BSSS’s mission to connect science with real-world application and drive innovation across the soil ecosystem.
BSSS was delighted to host the first forum at Cranfield University, bringing together around 70 participants from research organisations, academia, industry, and corporate partners. The day began with welcoming remarks from BSSS and Cranfield, followed by an engaging speed networking session that set a strong collaborative tone. Soil health remained central throughout, with focused discussions on soils data—exploring key challenges and opportunities—alongside 13 dynamic 3-minute pitches from participating organisations, showcasing innovative ideas and solutions.
The programme featured showcase talks on BSSS annual report, Earth Observation, AI and digital soil data, and climate-smart nitrogen management, complemented by a lively Early Career Researcher poster session. The afternoon included insights into the LandIS / Soils Data Portal and tours of Cranfield’s state-of-the-art facilities, a highlight for many attendees.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting strong momentum for collaboration, innovation, and partnership across the sector, and reinforcing BSSS’s role as a convening platform linking science, industry, and policy.
